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3.04.2016

ZOOTOPIA

There are plenty of cartoon animals who wear clothes and act like humans -- and in Zootopia, predators and prey live together and generally get along. This being a Disney movie, there are also lessons about not judging others, dreams coming true, and some mystery to boot.

Ever since she was little, bunny rabbit Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) dreamed of leaving her family's carrot farm in the sticks and becoming a police officer in the massive metropolis of Zootopia. She worked hard, got great grades, and finally made it.

However, life in the big city is hardly what she wants. Lots of the larger animals look down her (literally and figuratively), and the water buffalo Police Chief Bogo (Idris Elba) sticks Judy on traffic ticket duty while the other police officers look into the disappearance of 14 predators. Mayor Lionheart (J.K. Simmons) thinks Judy's assignment is a token program, while Deputy Mayor Bellwether (Jenny Slate), a sheep, is thrilled a small animal is getting a chance at a serious job.

Judy gets the chance to prove herself when she agrees to find the missing Mr. Otter within 48 hours -- or resign if the fails. To do this, she blackmails the con artist fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman) into helping her. Their investigation leads the reluctant duo into underworld critters, predators turning savage, medical mysteries and assorted conspiracies. And life lessons.

Zootopia is more cute than funny. The voice talent and animation are good, and there are plenty of jokes and references for adults: Tommy Chong as a hippie yak, references to The Godfather and Breaking Bad, and the character Gazelle who looks a whole lot like her voice actor Shakira. But the story is very predictable and there are more chuckles than outright laughs. Zootopia is entertaining and very, very light.